Two Hours of Runoffs GT Racing on SPEED This Week
TOPEKA, Kan. December 9, 2008: The GT-2 and GT-3 races from the 45th SCCA National Championship Runoffs® at Heartland Park Topeka will air on SPEED Wednesday, Dec. 10. GT-2 gets things started at noon (EST). John Black takes up the pole position in the No. 17 Nissan 350Z, but is beat to Turn One by James Goughary. ... Continue reading
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Reports on Kiosk Initiative
TULSA, Okla., Dec. 9 -- Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. today reported that it will suspend its pilot program relating to the development of self-service kiosks for use by customers in rental transactions. The Company expects to record a non-cash pre-tax charge of $4.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 to wri ... Continue reading
Alex Kennedy-Fastest Legends Driver in the World!
Aztec, NM December 9, 2008: It has been a while since Alex Kennedy was back in a Legends car to race. Racing part time in the NASCAR Camping World Series this year, sixteen year old Kennedy was in Las Vegas to have some fun last weekend! âThe new road course at Las Vegas is a lot of fun,â said Alex Kennedy af ... Continue reading
Floyd Associates' Analysis of Electric Vehicles and the Future of the Auto Industry
LOS ANGELES, CA Dec 9, 2008; With the recent drop in the price of oil, new doubts have been cast over the future of hybrid and electric vehicles. Many manufacturers and designers of electric vehicles have faced technical and financial challenges in the past few months. Such challenges combined with large capital invest ... Continue reading
PHILADELPHIA--The Pep Boys â Manny, Moe & Jack , the nation's leading automotive aftermarket retail and service chain, today announced the following results for the thirteen (third quarter) and thirty-nine weeks (nine months) ended November 1, 2008. Operating Results Third Quarter Sales Sales were $464.2 million a ... Continue reading
TAFEL RACING REFLECTIONS: JIM TAFEL
Tafel Racing, owned by Jim Tafel (above), finished second in the GT2 championship in 2008 and won four times. Jim Tafel had a unique perspective to the success of his Tafel Racing team in the 2008 American Le Mans Series. From both on top of the Tafel pit structure during a race to behind the wheel of one of the team's ... Continue reading
Harley-Davidson, Inc. Declares Dividend
MILWAUKEE, Dec. 9 -- Harley-Davidson, Inc. announced today that its Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.33 per share for the fourth quarter of 2008. The dividend is payable December 30, 2008 to the holders of record of the Company's common stock on December 19, 2008. Company Background Harley-Davidson, In ... Continue reading
VW Seeks State Quarantees For Finance Units
HAMBURG, Germany December 9, 2008: Volkswagen has sought state guarantees from Berlin for its financial services and banking units, Europe's biggest carmaker said on Tuesday, becoming the first manufacturer to take such a step in Germany. The guarantees would cover refinancing of car loans, a VW spokesman said without ... Continue reading
Auto Dealers Put Local Face on Need for Automaker Loans
Dealers travel to Washington, DC to Urge Support for Bridge Loans and Legislation to Jumpstart Auto Sales WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New car and truck dealers from across the country traveled to Washington today to meet with members of Congress to urge support for financial assistance for struggling ... Continue reading
Letter from Europe - Bad Times, Good Cars and Big Concerns
Andrew Frankl European Bureau ChiefThe Auto Channel Iâve been driving Hondaâs 2009 cars and for the life of me cannot understand that these excellent products are not selling better. The Accord is a by-word for reliability while the Civic is probably the best buy under 20 thousand dollars. Even the 140 horsep ... Continue reading
U.S. Auto Industry Bailout Getting Close As World's Economy Worsens
NEW YORK December 9, 2008; Daniel Trotta writing for Reuters reported that Washington stepped closer to bailing out U.S. automakers on Tuesday in a bid to stabilize the economy as neighboring Canada declared itself in recession and Japan said GDP shrank more than previously believed. The White House and Congress were n ... Continue reading
SUZUKI ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR AWARD-WINNING EQUATOR PICKUP, GRAND VITARA COMPACT SUV
BREA, Calif. December 9, 2008: American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) today announced pricing for its all-new Equator pickup truck, 4-Wheel & Off-Roadâs â4X4 of the Year,â and freshened Grand Vitara compact SUV. The Grand Vitara now offers a standard, all-new four-cylinder engine, providing drivers with bett ... Continue reading
Following the acquisition of Race Retro - the International Historic Motorsport Show - by Live Promotions, H&H is delighted to announce its return as the event's official auction partner for 2009 and beyond. As well as being a founding sponsor, the company also set several world auction record prices at Race Retro, inc ... Continue reading
TW Steel Unveils 24 Hours Series Limited Edition
Amsterdam, The Netherlands December 09, 2008: TW Steel will launch into 2009 as an official event sponsor to the âToyo Tires 24 Hours of Dubaiâ, hosted at the Dubai Autodrome in the United Arab Emirates, Friday 9th â Saturday 10th January 2009. The twice around the clock endurance race has rapidly establ ... Continue reading
Regulars Angelelli, Frisselle To Be Joined by Wayne Taylor, Pedro Lamy In 2009 Daytona Rolex
ATLANTA December 9, 2008: The lineup is complete for the No. 10 SunTrust Racing team at the 2009 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona endurance classic at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Joining regulars Max Angelelli and Brian Frisselle in the four-driver lineup that will share th ... Continue reading
INDYCAR SERIES NOTES - December 8, 2008
1. Drivers, owner honored at Autosport Awards: IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, drivers Justin Wilson and E.J. Viso and team co-owner Carl Haas were recognized Dec. 6 at the annual Autosport Awards in London. Dixon, who won a series record-tying six races including the 92nd Indianapolis 500, was a nominee in the In ... Continue reading
2009 SCCA Board and Committee Appointments Made
TOPEKA, Kan. December 8, 2008: Sports Car Club of Americaâs Board of Directors made its 2009 appointments for the various Boards and Committees that govern the 50,000-member organization. R.J. Gordy was elected by his fellow directors to serve a third year as Chairman of the Board. John Sheridan also retained his ... Continue reading
The Engine of Democracy Calls on Congress, White House to 'Refuel the Plane and Keep the Pilots'
Supplier/Dealer Group says auto czar provides sufficient oversight. WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2008; The Engine of Democracy, a group of automotive supplier and dealer leaders and employees from across the country, is calling on Congress and the White House to focus on providing emergency loans to America's car companies and ... Continue reading
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9 -- The following statement is from Lee Iacocca, Former Chairman and CEO of Chrysler and Former President of Ford Motor Company: "Running a multi-billion-dollar automobile company with thousands of employees, retirees, suppliers, dealers and communities counting on you is not for the weak of heart or ... Continue reading
Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited Notice of Special General Meeting
HONG KONG, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- BRILLIANCE CHINA AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS LIMITED (Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability) (Stock Code: 1114) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special general meeting of Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited ("Company") will be held at Room Tian & Di, 7th Floor, T ... Continue reading
ArvinMeritor Provides Earnings Expectations for First Quarter
TROY, Mich., Dec. 9 -- ArvinMeritor, Inc. today issued guidance for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, and withdrew previously released earnings expectations issued on Nov. 18, 2008 for the full year ending Sept. 27, 2009. The company is withdrawing full-year guidance due to continuing distress in the global market ... Continue reading
Changan Auto In Talks With Ford To Buy Volvo
Changan Auto in talks with Ford to buy Volvo http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008654/Changan-Auto-in-talks-with-Ford -to-b uy-Volvo.html Shanghai, December 9 (Gasgoo.com) The top executives of Changan Auto, Ford and Volvo are in talks over Changan's buying of Volvo, reported National Business Daily today, citing an ins ... Continue reading
China Has 500,000 New Passenger Cars Unsold
China has 500,000 new passenger cars unsold http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008659/China-has-500-000-new-passenger -cars -unsold.html Shanghai, December 9 (Gasgoo.com) Due to the slowing market demand, inventories of unsold new vehicles in China have risen to 500,000 units or more, said National Business daily today, ... Continue reading
More And More Models With Fuel-Saving Technology - Bosch Start/Stop Technology In Fiat 500
Bosch start/stop technology is being fitted to more and more passenger cars. From the early part of next year, Fiat will fit its first model to feature a start/stop system: the Fiat 500. Bosch supplies the specially adapted starter, the engine management system, and the battery sensor. The company has been manufacturin ... Continue reading
GM, Chrysler Step Up To Grab Chinese Market
GM, Chrysler step up to grab Chinese market http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008655/GM-Chrysler-step-up-to-grab-Chi nese- market.html Shanghai, December 9 (Gasgoo.com) Although Detroit automakers are struggling to avoid bankruptcy in America, the auto giants General Motors (GM) and Chrysler LLC are seeking to expand th ... Continue reading
Lamborghini Reventón Number 20 Delivered - The Highly Exclusive Limited Edition Is Complete
A super sports car, yet one that defies comparison - the Lamborghini Reventón is both an ultimate driving machine and limited work of art - with a total of only 20 built and a price of one million Euro (excl. tax), every Reventón is highly exclusive and virtually unique. ... Continue reading
100MPG EV Maker Bright Automotive Tells Congress that ... Continue reading
Vauxhall Corsavan - Small Van Of The Year 2008
Small vans with low running costs have never been more popular - and according to leading light commercial vehicle magazine What Van?, the Vauxhall Corsavan is the best of the lot. ... Continue reading
Study: Autos Bankruptcy would be 'Catastrophic' to U.S.
Washington DC December 9, 2008; The AIADA newsletter reported that a bankruptcy filing by two of the Detroit Three would cost taxpayers more than four times what they would pay if Congress was to give them a $30 billion bridge loan, according to a report released by Anderson Economic Group and BBK, an international bus ... Continue reading
Soon it will be time to head for the ski slopes again, and drivers of Mercedes models with the permanent all-wheel-drive system 4MATIC can rest assured as they set off en route to their chosen winter paradise. Because the performance of the drive configuration on roads affected by snow or ice is truly impressive. ... Continue reading
Car Czar - Who Should Become Our CAR CZAR?
In the insanity that is a multi-billion bailout for private companies that have failed their stockholders and their employees and the country that allowed them to build their industry after all of the other car factories in the world were bombed out, one clear thought is coming throughâ¦a Car Czar. One U.S. congres ... Continue reading
Japan Car Execs Say Technology Race Still Wide Open
TOKYO December 9, 2008; Chang-Ran Kim writing for Reuters reported that as Detroit's Big Three automakers flirt with collapse, punished for years of over-dependence on gas-guzzlers, the future of the motor industry would seem to belong to energy conscious rivals such as Japan's Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co Ltd. ... Continue reading
Audi: Stable Worldwide Sales In November
Audi delivered some 75,950 vehicles to customers worldwide in November. The premium brand's sales figures were thus slightly higher than the same month last year (2007: 75,635; up 0.4 percent). During the first eleven months of 2008, Audi sold some 920,700 vehicles - 3 percent more than in the comparable period in 2007 ... Continue reading
Should The Big Three Be Allowed To Fail?
By Oliver Garret CEO Casey Report The Casey Report The fact that after over 30 years of consistent mismanagement and decline, there is still any discussion on whether or not we should allow the now significantly smaller "Big Three" automakers to fail is clear evidence that Washington has lost all common sense. Why, whe ... Continue reading
FPV F6 Wins NZ Autocar Car of the Year Award
Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has dominated the 2008 New Zealand Autocar Car of the Year Awards. FPV's new F6 ran away a clear winner in the Performance Car of the Year category, as well as the headline Car of the Year award. ... Continue reading
Top Safety Pick 2009: The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Gains Top Marks in US Safety Test
The respected Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States has named the Mercedes-Benz C-Class one of its Top Safety Picks for 2009 - the best reason to buy in terms of safety. The C-Class achieved good ratings in all the safety criteria which were examined. ... Continue reading
Mitsubishi 'Growing' Awareness for Movember
A team of five fantastic fellows from Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) last month joined the fight to raise funds and awareness for prevalent men's health issues such as prostate cancer and male depression. ... Continue reading
Chrome Systems Customizes Competitive Comparison Tool for Nissan - Big Deal!
PORTLAND, Ore.--Chrome Systems Inc., a subsidiary of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc. and an industry leader in managing automotive data, today announced that it was recently selected by Nissan to deliver a robust vehicle comparison tool, and within a short time frame successfully delivered a customized version of its Chrome ... Continue reading
White is Most Popular Color - Again - in 56th DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report
"Conservative Differentiation" Among Consumers May Be Sign of the Times WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 9 -- The 2008 DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report says white is the top vehicle color choice in North America for the second straight year, and is a strong player globally, with "white effects" allowing consumers to dif ... Continue reading
ORIX Australia Selects Hyundai Tucson City to Help Expand Its Green Strategy
ORIX Australia announced the full replacement of its short-term rental fleet with a significant investment in lighter, more fuel efficient vehicles including Hyundai Motor Compan's Tucson City SX. This initiative will lead to a reduction in the company's indirect CO2 emissions, as well as delivering extensive fuel savi ... Continue reading
Dr. Michael Ganal Dies After Severe Illness
Dr. Michael Ganal, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, died last week in the night from Thursday to Friday at the age of 54 after a severe illness. He had been a Member of the Company&'s Board of Management since October 2000 and was last responsible for the Finance Division in his position as Chief Financial ... Continue reading
BMW to Bring Sporting Luxury to the Pinnacle of the Diesel Market
BMW Group Australia today announces it will add a third model to the new BMW 7 Series line-up mid-way through 2009, in the form of the 730d. ... Continue reading
The Peugeot 308 HDi hatch has been awarded the AMI NZ Autocar Car of the Year 2008, winning the Compact Car class. In an increasingly competitive and important sector, the Compact Car Class was highly contested in 2008. ... Continue reading
GRACO IS RECALLING 43,994 COMFORTSPORT CONVERTIBLE CAR SEATS
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 08C009000 Child Restraint Brand Name / Model or Model No.: Production Dates: GRACO / 8C04FRR (COMFORT SPORT) NOV 01, 2006 - OCT 08, 2007 GRACO / 8C04FRR2 (COMFORT SPORT) NOV 01, 2006 - OCT 08, 2007 Manufacturer: GRACO CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS INC Mfr's Report Date: DEC 03, 2008 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Nu ... Continue reading
The Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro: Breathtaking Performance
Audi is launching the next variant of its top-of-the-line model. With the R8, the brand has established itself at the forefront of high-end sports cars from the very start - and now comes the R8 V10. Its 5.2-liter, ten-cylinder engine churns out 386 kW (525 hp) and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque, which makes for breat ... Continue reading
Mazda Australia has locked in a three-year deal as Sleeve Sponsor of the NSW Waratahs Super 14 rugby union club. Mazda has been a strong supporter of the Waratahs since 2001, and 2009 marks a new era for the partnership as Mazda steps up with recognition on the club's jersey. ... Continue reading
Christmas Trees Chopped Down To Size - '1 In 12 Plan Not To Deck The Halls At All'
This year credit-crunched Brits plan to spend 27 per cent less on Christmas decorations than last year. The festive tree will be the first thing to suffer, as a third of people (32 per cent) say they plan to reduce the size of their Christmas fir. One in twelve (8 per cent) who traditionally put up decorations say that ... Continue reading
Mazda Launches Freshened Roadster in Japan
Tokyo, Dec 9, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of the freshened Mazda Roadster (known as the MX-5 overseas) into the Japanese market. Mazda's updated iconic lightweight, open-top sports car goes on sale today (December 9, 2008) at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers throughout J ... Continue reading
Negotiations on Redundancies Finalised at Volvo Car Corporation
Negotiations between Volvo Car Corporation and its union representatives have now been completed. 2,721 employees in Sweden will leave the company, where of 2,367 blue collar workers and 354 white collars. An additional 680 employees abroad will leave the company. Also, 1,215 contracts with consultants have been termin ... Continue reading
Congress, White House Nears Deal on Auto Loan Gaurantees
WASHINGTON december 9, 2008; Julie Hirschfeld Davis And Ken Thomas writing for the AP reported that a federal "car czar" would oversee a government-run restructuring of U.S. auto companies in return for a $15 billion bailout of the beleaguered industry under an emerging deal between the White House and Congress. Negoti ... Continue reading
'Magic Bus' is now available as a miniature - Campervan designed by 'The Who' obtainable worldwide
The iconic campervan 'Magic Bus' is now available as a miniature. The original Volkswagen T1 from 1965 had been restored and designed for a raffle held by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, british charity Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) and The Who at the beginning of this year. ... Continue reading
Spirt Avert AG Has Revealed the First Pictures of the Drivable Prototype of Mindset.
The development steps towards start of production of mindset cars are on track. During a presentation to selected representatives of the European electricity industry on November 12, 2008, the prototype drove at Petersberg in Bonn for the first time. ... Continue reading
Mazda Launches Freshened Roadster in Japan
The latest version of Mazda's two-seat sports car carries forward the Roadster's traditional 'Jinba Ittai' ('rider and horse as one') concept, and features detailed improvements in the exterior and interior design, quality, functionality and dynamic performance. As a result, the Roadster is now more fun-to-drive and mo ... Continue reading
Ford Motor Company Statement on Proposed Congressional Automotive Industry Bill
DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 8 -- As we told Congress, Ford is in a different position. We do not face a near-term liquidity issue, and we will not be seeking a short term bridge loan. But Ford fully supports an effort to address the near-term liquidity issues of GM and Chrysler, as our industry is highly interdependent and a ... Continue reading
TOKYO--Better Place, the worldâs leading mobility operator, today announced that it is joining Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of Subaru automobiles, and other Japanese carmakers in the first Ministry of Environment, electric-vehicle (EV) project in Japan. Better Place, the only foreign company participating, wa ... Continue reading
The Auto Channel content library (since 1996) has grown to become the world’s most extensive and complete interactive archive of automotive centric news, articles, reviews and intense event coverage, presented to viewers as Text, Video and Images.
Vehicle manufacturers and alt fuels.
